Download Presentation

ATTRACTING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT TO EASTERN ALBERTA

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation

Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author.While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server.

This seminar series will demonstrate to Eastern Alberta communities and businesses how Regional Economic Developments Alliances such as PEP, BRAED and HUB can assist them in attracting new investment. REDAs can work with communities and businesses on projects like the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Initiative, assist in attracting Foreign Direct Investment, and help develop information resources to assist marketers of commercial industrial properties.

WHAT IS THE EASTERN ALBERTA

TRADE CORRIDOR?

What is a Trade Corridor?

•Trade corridors are streams of products, services, and information moving within and through communities in geographic patterns. In short, trade corridors link major transportation and production hubs.

•North American trade corridors are strategies developed by groups of business and municipal (and sometimes state and even federal) government leaders to attract to particular regions some of the increased flow of materials generated by deepening North American economic integration.

•Regional development organizations seek to spur development within a specific contiguous area, and to improve transportation systems that link elements of clusters within that area and provide the clusterswith access to outside markets

What is the Value Proposition for a Trade Corridor?

•Existing resources are mobilized along a corridor that links major transportation and production centers.

•It can garner support for government funds to support economic development in that area.

•Increased awareness within the region of its economic capacity and the associated opportunities

•You can best think of trade corridors as maps of decisions firms have made – decisions about how to organize their production, distribution, and supply systems; to capture regional specializations along extended supply chains that cross North America’s internal borders; and to create logistics mechanisms that will move components efficiently fromplant to plant

What types of objectives can be supportedby a Trade Corridor initiative?

•Asset Management

•Regulation

•Information Technology Centres

Where is the proposedEastern AlbertaTrade Corridor?

•After Province of Alberta became the first Canadian member of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance on May 12, 2009 it was proposed by the REDAs that an Eastern Alberta Corridor could provide an alternative to the QE2, and that extends into USA at Wild Horse to tie into US Interstate Highway #25 and the Ports to Plains Corridor.

•The Eastern Alberta Trade is a north/south transportation corridor that would stretch from the US border in the south to the R.M. of Wood Buffalo in the north. The Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor will include Highways 36, 41 and 63, with links to the Edmonton-Calgary corridor to the west, to Alberta’s abundant resources in the north east, and onto Saskatchewan in the east. It will become a major component of the “Ports to Plains Corridor” of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

•It can provide an alternative to the QE2, and that extends into USA at Wild Horse to tie into US Interstate Highway #25 and the Ports to Plains Corridor.A new Eastern Alberta Corridor Corporation has been recommended to promote and advance the concept of a second majornorth – south integrated seamless transportationcorridor between Alberta and USA

What is the status of theEastern Alberta Trade Corridor initiative?

•Update from the your Regional Economic Development Alliance

WHAT IS FOREIGN DIRECTINVESTMENT (FDI)?

What are the motivationsfor companies engaging in FDI?

•Resource seeking

•Market seeking

•Efficiency seeking

Foreign direct investment in Canada from the United States at the end of 2009 was $288.3 billion.

What is the site selection process used byforeign direct investors?

•The FDI location process -- the process by which a company locates in another country -- varies from company to company, and from sector to sector.

•Manufacturers, especially smaller or less experienced international firms, typically move through a sequence, beginning with exports via agents, to licensing of foreign products, and finally to FDI in assembly/production ventures.

•Service operations such as banking require interaction between producers and consumers. Unlike manufactured products, many services cannot easily be traded cross-border, and service operations cannot be incrementally moved overseas.

•Resource-seeking investment designed to utilize a country's labouror primary resources also has a relatively rapid investment process,because there is no way to access these resources without entering the country.

•It is important to understand the FDI process because some forms of investment are a good indication of likely future investment by the same firm.

•For example, if a manufacturing company establishes a sales subsidiary in your country, this is a good sign that the company is intending to expand its exports to your market. If this company is successful in expanding its sales in the local market, it may consider establishing manufacturing facilities in your country.A successful IPA will track such events in order to market itself to the potential investor and facilitate that company's investment decisions.

What are key factors considered by

foreign direct investors?

•Market

•Cost

•Natural Resources

•Infrastructure Framework

•Policy Framework

•Business Promotion & Support

Incentives

MARKETING THE EASTERN ALBERTA

TRADE CORRIDOR

Core Marketing Principles

•In a cluttered marketplace, nothing is more vital than figuring out what your business can do different than competitors, and then effectively communicate that message. You need to build a competitive advantage by differentiating yourself.

•The core of assessing and implementing a competitive advantage is

1.Understanding your own core competencies – what do you do better than the other guys or what are you offering that no one else does.

2.If you are in a competitive marketplace, what do your competitors focuson and do well.

3.Identifying areas where you can set yourself apart, thencommunicating that message to customers.

•Differentiation is the key. What specific core competencies make yourbusiness or community distinct from the competition?

•Our focus here today is to discuss the practice of attracting FDI, and its natural offshoots, such as selling commercial industrial real estate to foreign investors

What are the Foreign Direct Investment opportunities that

have the best chance of attracting foreign investment to

EATC commercial/industrial properties?

•One of the value propositions for businesses and communities that want to leverage the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor relates to targeting foreign companies that have an interest in Eastern Alberta key sectors.

oAgriculture

oEnergy

oManufacturing

oTourism

oTransportation

oDefence/Aerospace

•Focus on the major economic drivers and therefore freight generatorsfor the Eastern Alberta Corridor?

oLarge scale agricultural and food production mostly concentrated in thesouth of the Corridor

oOil and gas equipment and servicing throughout all regions of the corridor

oCrude oil transport, mainly to Hardisty

oThe construction and expansion of major pipelines – opportunities associated with construction on ongoing operations

oChemicals, petrochemicals and fertilizers

oLivestock transportation, primarily in the southern and central regions of the corridor

oMetal fabrication products, scattered throughout the Corridor, but tending to be larger and more concentrated in the northern and southern regions of the Corridor

oThree military bases generating freight demand and substantial opportunities for local business and economic activity

oComponents, parts and modules for oil sands plants and upgraders, generated from within the Eastern Alberta Corridor, and other domestic, US and international origins

oActivity in oil and gas, oil sands and upgrader development is extremelyimportant to economic activity in The Corridor and is a majorcontributor to highway traffic levels in Eastern Alberta.

Who might be the most likely foreign investors to be

interested in EATC commercial/industrial properties?

•There are no quick answers to identifying investors. As experts from DFAIT, IEDC, and site selectors will tell you, but there rules of thumb to follow. Look for:

•How can you connect with likely Foreign Investors and market to them?

1.Act Regionally

2.Look for Major Regional Projects

3.Identify Local Companies Interested in FDI

4.Raise Awareness of Regional Assets and Activities

5.Identify Specific Opportunities to Market

6.Work with Economic Development Organizations

7.Commit to Set Amount of Time and Resources to Attract FDI

8.Set Critical Information Path When Fielding an Investment Inquiry

9.Leverage Provincial and Federal Government Resources

Act Regionally

•Cooperation is a vital element to regional economic development. What is good for your neighbour is most often good for you.

•You must sell the region and the province, not just your community.

•The more land, facilities, infrastructure, and incentives that the investor perceives as being in your region, the better.

•Incentives are one of the first things investors look for. These are often tax breaks, free or discounted land, financial support to hire local workers, etc. A great resource is to look at is www.thefundingportal.com

•Raise awareness to federal and provincial governments of Region. Make DFAIT aware of major projects and new business opportunities available in your region

•Communicate investment inquires to REDAs and appropriate provincial officials in a timely manner to ensure all appropriate regional and provincial recourses are brought to bear on an opportunity.

Lets look at an example…

Identify Specific Opportunities to Market

•This should be part of your TARGETED marketing strategy

•Raising awareness of Regional Assets and Activities is important but when it is time to connect with a specific potential investor, specific opportunity needs to be presented.

•Research needs to be done to compile and Opportunity Analysis, or even better a Business Case (funds permitting) that outlines the following:

oThe Opportunity

oThe Market

oOperations and Human Resources

oFinancial Projections

oLocal Assets

•Land and Buildings

•Labour

•Infrastructure

•Incentives

•Lets look at an example…

•The Opportunity Analysis or Business Case needs to be shared with local EDOs, REDAs, Provincial Sector Specialists and Trade Officers, and Foreign Trade Commissioners. These specialists along with local businesses and individuals that have foreign connections will help identify the companies to target.

Actively send out information to Trade Consulates about newassets and

activities in your region or community.

Ensure that marketing materials sent to Trade Consulates or target

companies are clear, consistent, professional, and specific

•Use these resources to help target specific foreign companies and marketing channels such trade publications, trade shows, and trade organizations.

•Any land and buildings that are part of the Opportunity should be listed on MLS.

Work with Economic Development Organizations 10

•The Regional Economic Developments Alliances such as PEP, BRAED and HUB assist member communities in attracting new investment:

oPalliser Economic Partnership (PEP) - www.palliseralberta.com

oBattle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED)www.braedalberta.ca

oAlberta HUB (HUB) - www.albertahub.com

•Being a member to one of the organizations is important. Feel free to contact your local REDA anytime for information.

•What are some of the aims of the Regional Alliance Approach?

oCoordinated effort reduces duplication

oProvides focus on regional priorities and solutions

oImproved local capacity to undertake projects individual communities could not do on their own

1To invest in a property that provides cash flow – e.g. a shopping mallor office building

2To invest in a poverty that may realize a quick or substantial capital gain – e.g. a tract of land that is expecting major residential or commercial development

3To acquire land or buildings needed to relocate or expand a business opportunity – e.g. opening a new business location or partnering with a local business to expand operations

•In rural areas, the most common form of foreign commercial real estate investment arises from the third scenario. Most foreign investorslook to large, expanding urban markets for scenarioone and two.

•Hence, the most expeditious way to sell rural commercial industrial real estate is by developing and marketing new business opportunities. In FDI, the commercial real estate opportunity is usually a by-product of the business opportunity.

•Ensure that the opportunity is communicated to local regional, provincial and federal organizations that specialize in investment attraction; including the associated commercial real estate opportunity.

•Readiness is the key. By actively working with your REDA to market your community and its opportunities, you can be ready when an investor or a government agency calls. Let’s look at an actual example…

Top 12 Commercial Real Estate Selling Tips

1If possible, have properly serviced and zoned land available to sell. This is a challenging proposition, because servicing is an expensive up-front cost. But know that the #1 question that site selectors and investors ask when looking to expand or relocate to a new area is “Do you have serviced lots or buildings that are zoned for our purpose.”

2List your property when the market is active if at all possible. Commercial real estate prices are volatile and fluctuate quickly in conjunction with the economy. If you sell your property during a financial swell, you will realize a much larger profit than if you part with it during a financial lull.

3Hiring a Realtor is vital to the sales process. Research the reputations and records of many Realtors before hiring one. Talk to Realtors’ previous clients and don't be shy about asking questions. Some Realtors will let a property go for less than it's worth to get their commissions more quickly. Others will represent your interests assertively and fairly. Be sure to get one of the latter.

4Advertise your property in forums that are frequented by likely buyers. Business magazines and websites are fertile ground for potential buyers. Your local newspaper is not as closely focused but is probably less expensive to advertise in and will get the general word out that your property is for sale. If you are looking to market a property that is tied to a specific business opportunity, then advertise in appropriate industry journals and websites. Let’s look at an example…

5Be sure your advertisement includes quality pictures and relevant information such as the price per square foot, zoning regulations and the building's lease history.

6Guerrilla Marketing – leverage as many free or inexpensive tools as possible. Market the property on Craigslist (more for American buyers) and Kijiji (more for Canadian buyers) for free. You can also develop a website specifically for one business opportunity/commercial real estate opportunity; or use platforms like Facebook.

7Make your building (or land) look as good as possible before putting it on the market. Seemingly superficial aesthetic touches can make a surprising difference in real estate. Clean up the lot, mow and trim any lawns and hedges, have the windows professionally cleaned and remove any graffiti. All of these touches will show that you care about your building and make it more likely to attract buyers.

8Changes in zoning - Provincial or municipal laws classify or zone areas for various commercial property usages. From time to time, zoning laws change enabling different types of businesses or industries to operate in a particular area. Check to see if there has been a change in your zoning or if a change is being considered by the authorities. The sale of your property could attract a whole new type of customer with a change in your classification.

9Extra professionals - A lawyer and accountant you know, respect and trust are essential members of your team. This type of commercial real estate transaction will involve serious amounts of money. You don’t want anything to come back and bite you. All aspects of commercial law and relevant taxation requirements have to be watertight. Don’t cut corners and make sure you cover all the bases.

10The buyer - In most cases it’s a company or at least a partnership. The more you can find out about their line of business and what they want to use the property for, the better able you will be to help make the sale. Remember the professional Realtor is running the show but if you can give the Realtor all sorts of benefits the property has to offer, that could clinch the deal. Discover what you can about the potential buyer.

11In addition to tenure and location, commercial property advertisements also need to include extra details on the available square footage (especially for U.S. buyers) or square meters of the property. This is generally taken to be the area in which the commercial property's purchaser can conduct business, and doesn't necessarily include bathrooms, corridors etc. Price per sq m is an important benchmark that commercial property purchasers will use to compare your property to others in the area, so it's important to include this information when selling.

If you are in doubt about market valuation for your property, get a professional appraisal done. Look to your local financial institution first for a reference to an appraiser. Or you can contact the Appraisal Institute of Canada at www.aicanada.cato find a certified Alberta appraiser.

Tips for Doing Business with Americans

•The American style is competitive and even aggressive. Winning is often seen as more than to appear conciliatory. Therefore match their style with a confident bearing, and be prepared to ‘cut to the chase’ without delay. This is the culture of ’time is money’.

•Although their style can be seen as aggressive, it should not be taken personally. Americans tend to be uncomfortable with the use of emotion in negotiations.

•Their style is direct and to the point, with sustained eye contact.They say what they mean and mean what they say.

•American deals are all about the bottom-line – profitability. And quick results. They want a short pay-back time, and will take risks in linewith that attitude.

•They will not hold on to declining fortunes. They makequick decisions to go in … and to get out.

•They will want everything confirmed in writing – and every proposal, too. Nothing is binding until both parties have signed their agreement.

•They are hot on detail, so contracts should be drawn up with a lawyer’s assistance. Americans will insist on contracts being carried out as agreed.

•When they show aggressiveness during negotiations, it is not personal but related only to the matter being discussed.

•They are unimpressed by signs of vulnerability in negotiations.

•They believe in winning, so let your first offer contain enough room for maneuver, and expect a hard bargaining session.

Dr Deborah Swallow

Top 10 Takeaways

•Before you identify a specific opportunity to market to a foreign investor, there are 10 things you can do to ready yourself for FDI:

1.Identify what the key competitive advantage is in your community. Is it the strength of a specific industrial sector, a unique piece of infrastructure, your location, incentives, educational institutions, labour pool, etc? You have to know what the primary factor is that sets you apart from your competitors, and also allows you to develop as set of FDI targets.

2.Keep apprised of major regional projects that might have a direct or indirect impact on your community. This is a great way to sell or lease real estate.

3.Identify local companies interested in investment and let them know that there are local regional, provincial, and federal agencies willing to help them connect with foreign investors